Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

Report of the Covid-19 Rapid Testing Group: Discussion with Science Foundation Ireland

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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I thank Professor Ferguson for his comprehensive report. On the wider use of antigen testing, I have been contacted by individuals who believe there is an opportunity to carry out antigen testing within the hotel experience. There is concern that some people will be hesitant to visit hotels when they open next month owing to the mixing that takes place within a hotel environment. Based on Professor Ferguson's experience and understanding of antigen testing, does he see a role for it in the hotel environment? Could it form part of a building of confidence in people to visit hotels and participate in activities that happen in that environment? In light of Professor Ferguson's experience around testing and the quality and improvement of antigen tests generally, does he believe we can get to a point pretty quickly at which we can dispense with mandatory quarantine?

Does he believe that, as a result of using antigen testing as a component of our overall testing system in conjunction with the roll-out of the vaccine in other countries and the existing PCR testing, we could get to a point at which mandatory hotel quarantine would not be required, because it greatly inhibits us in getting the aviation sector back on track?